Locals Take Top Titles in 11th Annual Ho’olaule’a Paddleboard Race

KAHULUI, Maui - For the 11th year in a row, OluKai brought together the world’s best paddlers together for a weekend of racing and give back to Hawaii at the annual Ho’olaule’a (celebration). OluKai created the now legendary event in 2008 to pay tribute to the ocean lifestyle through competition, tradition, family and giving back to the community, a key component since the race’s inception.

This year’s event, which took place Sunday June 9 on Maui’s North Shore, brought together close to two-hundred paddlers for a day of racing. The Ho’olaule’a race features the largest gender equal prize purse of $15,000 with athletes from all corners of the globe vying for the top prize and bragging rights. The prize money is broken down equally between the winners in all divisions in the race.

Top winners from this year’s race include:

• Women’s Elite SUP: Annie Reickert
• Women’s Elite OC1: Andrea Moller
• Men’s Elite SUP: Kody Kerbox (SIC Maui)
• Men’s Elite OC1: Triston Kahookele-Santos

Annie Reickert (left) Women's SUP winner and Kody Kerbox (right) Men's SUP winner. | Photos courtesy: Olukai

As part of the Ho’olaule’a race weekend, athletes and the Maui community gathered Saturday before the race for a beach sweep with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii. The team worked for hours on World Ocean’s Day, picking up trash including a several hundred pound ghost net that was buried in the sand. The giveback is just one way OluKai supports Hawaii and the environment through their Ama OluKai Foundation. To learn more visit OluKai.com.

About OluKai:

OluKai is a sought after lifestyle brand that believes everyone, no matter where they are, can live Aloha. OluKai products feature thoughtful design elements and handcrafted details inspired by the ocean lifestyle. We are committed to partnering with best-of-class retailers with whom we share an unwavering pursuit of excellence. OluKai's spirit is shared by others through the Ama OluKai Foundation, a 501(c)(3) created to formalize the company’s giveback initiatives. Every OluKai sold supports Ama OluKai Foundation’s mission in Hawaii. For more information visit www.OluKai.com or #AnywhereAloha.